Stir or stir? Mecher with CH does not exist in the Portuguese language

Most people try to figure out which spelling is correct: stir or stir. The rules are simpler than you might think. The mistake is very common, but it's also easy to understand: stir, with CH, does not exist in Portuguese language.

As the sound of X and CH is confused in most words with one of the two options, there is great doubt about its use. Although there are some exceptions, the grammatical rule regarding the use of each explains very well the difference in writing.

See too:

• back or back
• bad or bad
• Through or Through

Stir or stir: know which one is correct

TO MIX

In the dictionary, “to stir” means “to mix or move the inside of something”. You can refer to a thing or person, for example. It can also represent an effort to achieve something. Among its synonyms are swinging, moving and touching.

The verb can take different forms in clauses: intransitive, pronominal, direct transitive, indirect transitive. The origin of the word comes from the Latin: miscere. The original word refers to putting something in motion, just like the derivative in the Portuguese language.

See the conjugation of the verb in the past perfect tense:

(I) moved

(you) moved

(He) moved

(we) move

(you) stirred

(they) moved

Now, check out some examples of the use of the word move in different situations, assuming different functions, but always with X:

• Get moving, you need to move on!
• he went through my drawers
• Messing with it is not a good idea.
• His words moved me.
• Don't mess with what's not his!
• He handles wires all day in the company.
• I need to move!
• You have to stir the rice so it doesn't burn.
• She works with numbers.
• You need to move your body in class.

MECHER

• The word written with CH does not exist in the Portuguese language. Therefore, this is an incorrect spelling of the verb to move and should never be used.

X or CH?

• With a little rule you can solve forever the doubt between X or CH in words.

You just need to be aware of cases where you use X in words:

• After the syllables “me” or “en”: move, layette;
• After diphthongs: crate, fish, plum;
• Words with indigenous or African origin: orixá, xará.

Exceptions

After reading the above rules, you may still have questions. “Fill”, for example, starts with “en”, but is written with CH, is that it? Yes, that's it! You are not learning wrong.

As every rule, the use of X and CH also has its exceptions in the Portuguese language. In this case, remember some words that are outside the rule: flood, fill, fill, fill, gaucho, etc.

Stir or stir? Video

Still in doubt? Stir or stir? Is it with x or ch? check out the following video: